Modified gas gauge

ABSTRACT

Device (10) is provided for insertion into meter (76) in the course of testing gas system (68). Device (10) advantageously allows a technician to make fewer trips into residence (80) in the course of a gas turn-on procedure. House line (78) is first disconnected from meter (76) and device (10) is then inserted into meter (76) at (84). After an initial full flow check by passage of gas through aperture 38, valve body (50) is shifted to a closed position wherein gas flow is controlled by smaller apertures (52) so that a second flow rate is achieved simulating the pilot light of one appliance being lit in residence (80). In this fashion, two trips into residence (80), respectively to turn on and turn off one pilot light, are avoided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a modified gas gauge of simple yet highlyeffective construction which has numerous advantages includingconvenience, compactness and easy portability. More particularly, it isconcerned with a modified gas gauge having a conduit, coupling structurefor inserting the gauge into a gas meter and structure for simulatingfirst and second flow conditions pertaining to a gas supply system. Inthis fashion, the user may perform multiple gas flow tests from a singlelocation outside of a house or other building without the need for manytrips into the building to establish different gas flow situations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Field personnel for natural gas companies must perform many tests whenconnecting a gas line, such as when initiating service for a commercialor residential customer. Typically, numerous trips into the premises arerequired in the course of the turn-on procedure. For example, whenturning on the gas supply for a residential customer, the meter must bechecked while the pilot light for one of the gas appliances is lit, withall the other appliances shut off. This meter test requires twoadditional trips into the house for the purpose of lighting and thenextinguishing the pilot light in a selected appliance. What is needed isa device which will simulate, at the test site, conditions within thehouse such as the consumption of gas by a pilot light so that multipletime consuming trips in and out of buildings may be eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems outlined above are in large measure solved by the modifiedgas gauge flow tester in accordance with the present invention. That isto say, the gauge hereof serves to simulate selected flow conditions soas to reduce the number of trips to and from a test site.

The present invention broadly includes a fluid conveying conduit havingtwo ends, structure for coupling one of the ends to a fluid transferassembly (e.g., a conventional gas meter), and apparatus operablyconnected with the conduit for simulating first and second flowconditions of different magnitude. The second simulation apparatus hasfirst and second positions such that in the second position the secondsimulation apparatus effectively controls the flow rate through theconduit at a relatively lower second level, while in the first positionthe first simulation apparatus effectively controls the flow rate at arelatively higher first level.

In preferred forms the second simulation apparatus includes anapertured, shiftable valve body which cooperatively permits the firstflow condition when in the open setting and restricts flow to the secondlevel in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment, aconventional valve body is utilized, and the second flow rate isaccomplished by positioning an aperture between the first end of theconduit and the valve body.

As one example, the modified gas gauge device can be used in the courseof a turn-on order for a residential gas supply system including a meterand a house line. The service technician disconnects the meter from thehouse line and inserts the device into the meter. The valve body is thenshifted to the closed position to simulate the consumption of gas causedby the pilot light of one appliance at the end of the house line. Bysuch shifting of the valve body the technician avoids two trips into thehouse which would otherwise be necessary to light and extinguish a pilotlight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical residential gas system;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the modified gas gauge/tester inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a stopcock valve assembly utilized in thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2, illustratingthe valve body in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is the sectional view of FIG. 4 with the valve body in the openposition;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5 for anotherembodiment, illustrating the alternative valve body in the closedposition; and

FIG. 7 is a partial, elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6, whichillustrates the alternative placement of the second aperture on theexterior of the conduit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing in general, and FIG. 2 in particular, amodified gas gauge or device 10 in accordance with the invention broadlyincludes a conduit 12, coupling structure 14, first simulation apparatus16, second simulation apparatus 18 and gauge assembly 20. Device 10 isadapted for insertion into fluid systems (e.g., metered gas systems) forthe purpose of monitoring fluid flow therethrough and thereby checkingthe reliability of the gas meters.

In more detail, conduit 12 includes three 1/4 inch, externally threaded,black pipe nipples 22-26 which can be alternatively constructed of anysuitable metal or synthetic resin. Conduit 12 could also be integrallyformed. Internally threaded tee piece 28 has three ports, two of whichare mated with nipples 22 and 24 as shown. Conduit 12 presents a firstend 30 and a second end 32, with the two ends being in fluidcommunication.

Coupling structure 14 includes hollow, tapered, resilient, rubber-likeplug 34 which is mated with nipple 22 at first end 30 in a manner toallow fluid to flow thereinto. Coupling structure 14 may be made fromany resilient material such as a synthetic resin and is adapted forinsertion into a standard gas meter. It will be readily understood thatother dimensions and materials could be used for constructing couplingstructure for other kinds of fluid systems.

First simulation apparatus 16 includes an internally threaded, 1/4 inchblack pipe cap 36 having an aperture 38 therethrough. Aperture 38 isformed by using a number 33 size drill bit to drill a hole into cap 36which is then threaded onto end 32 of conduit 12. The diameter of firstaperture 38 is about 113 mils.

Referring to FIG. 3, second simulation apparatus 18 includes a stopcockvalve assembly 40. Assembly 40 have a hollow valve frame 42 with valveports 44 and internally threaded nipple ports 46 for respectivelycoupling with nipples 24 and 26 (as shown in FIG. 2). Still referring toFIG. 3, assembly 40 further includes valve member 48 having afrustoconical valve body 50, two aligned apertures 52, slot 53,operating lever 54 and threaded end 56 integrally formed on valve body50. Washer 58 and nut 60 secure valve member 48 within valve frame 42 tocomplete assembly 40. Each of apertures 52 presents an identicaldiameter which is predetermined and relatively smaller than that ofaperture 38. The diameter of each aperture 52 is preferably about 16mils.

Referring once again to FIG. 2, gauge assembly 20 includes an externallythreaded, 1/4 inch nipple 62 coupled with the third port of tee piece 28and an internally threaded collar 64 which is mated to an externallythreaded gauge 66. Gauge 66 is conventional in nature and suitable formeasuring a range of gas pressures found in commercial and residentialsystems. Gauge 66 is in fluid communication with first end 30 of conduit12.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, portions of an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention, namely device 110, are shown. Device 110 is inall respects and structure the same as device 10 except for twoinstances noted below. The first difference is ascertained by comparingFIGS. 4 and 6. The second is ascertained by comparing FIG. 7 with FIG.2.

As to the first difference and referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, therespective second positions of valve bodies 50 and 150 are shown. Theseare the closed position for both respective devices and it will be notedby observing lever 54 that the second simulation apparatus as depictedin FIG. 2 is in such a closed or second position. By comparing FIGS. 4and 6 it will be readily understood that device 10 includes two opposedapertures 52 on valve body 50 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 4)while valve body 150 of device 110 includes no such apertures. Ofcourse, if valve body 50 were solid rather than having a slot 53, onesecond aperture spanning the valve body would be sufficient.

As to the second difference, FIG. 7 depicts a portion of nipple 124, inall respects analogous to nipple 24 of device 10 except that a secondaperture 152 is formed, having dimensions exactly the same as that ofsecond apertures 52 of device 10. By referring to FIG. 2 it will beappreciated that nipple 24 contains no exterior apertures.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a gas supply system 68 suitable for supplyinggas to a residential consumer is shown. The system 68 includes a gasmain line (not shown), service line 70 connected to the main, shut-offvalve 72, regulator 74, meter 76, and house line 78. House line 78 is inturn return operatively coupled with gas burning appliances 79 withinthe house. The system 68 services residence 80 equipped with gas-burningappliances (not shown) located therein. The gas main line, service line70, shut off valve 72, regulator 74 and meter 76 collectively constitutea fluid transfer assembly 82 which must be tested and monitoredindependently from house line 78 as discussed below. Meter 76 includes avisually observable test mechanism such as an analog hand, andconventional flowpreventing seals (not shown). The appliances withinresidence 80 one each connected to house line 78 so as to be suppliedthereby.

FIG. 1 is illustrative rather than exhaustive of the type of fluidsystem suitable for a device in accordance with the present invention.For example, a commercial gas system would be suitable for such use-alsoan industrial setting would be appropriate. Hence, the scope of thisinvention covers not only turn-on orders for residential gas customersbut also includes diagnostic and repair procedures. Indeed, theinvention is applicable to any fluid flow system, whether liquid or gas,which requires simulation of a plurality of predetermined flow rates byselectively utilizing apertures of various dimensions suitablycorresponding to the required flow rates. Thus, the detailed proceduredescribed below is meant simply as an illustration of one specific usefor the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in general, with specific attention to FIG.1, a field technician (such as a gas service representative or the like)will arrive at the site of system 68 to turn on gas at residence 80. Theprocedure used by the technician will be described briefly by way ofoverview and then in more detail. In the course of turning on aresidential gas supply associated with system 68, the technician will:

(a) disconnect meter 76 from house line 78 and remove anyflow-preventing seals from meter 76;

(b) insert device 10 into meter 76;

(c) turn on shut-off valve 72 so that gas flows through meter 76 anddevice 10;

(d) check the amount of pressure created by the regulator 74 by readinggauge 66 with valve body 50 in the first (open) position;

(e) recheck regulator 74 by covering the first aperture 38 and readinggauge 66;

(f) remove device 10 from meter 76 and reconnect meter 76 to house line78;

(g) check house line 78 by reading the meter test-hand;

(h) disconnect meter 76 from house line 78 and insert device 10 intometer 76;

(i) place valve body 50 in the second (closed) position;

(j) read the meter test-hand;

(k) remove device 10 from meter 76 and reconnect meter 76 to house line78;

(l) read the meter test-hand twenty minutes later; and

(m) light the appliances.

All disconnecting and reconnecting of meter 76 and house line 78 is doneat a suitable juncture such as shown by reference numeral 84, this beingreferred to as the downstream on output side of meter 76. Once theflow-preventing seals are removed from the meter 76, they are neverreinserted therein. Any time the device 10 is inserted into meter 76 itis done by mating coupling structure 14 with meter 76 as at juncture 84.

After the shut-off valve 72 has been turned on in step (c) and gas istherefore flowing through meter 76 and device 10 out first aperture 38into the atmosphere, step (d) is performed to check the regulatorpressure. The technician expects a reading of about 4.0 ounces ofpressure on gauge 66. This situation, referred to as a first flow rate,simulates the amount of gas flowing through system 68 to be delivered tothe appliances when the appliances are operating at a typical flow rate(i.e. fluid transfer assembly 82 is delivering about 50 cubic feet perhour to the atmosphere at this point). The purpose of delivering gas tothe atmosphere outside the house rather than checking the regulatorpressure with the house line 78 connected to meter 76, is to prevent anyaccidents (within the house) which might arise from irregular flowpressure. Hence, it is more prudent to check the regulator pressureprior to performing tests involving house line 78.

Regulator 74 is rechecked in step (e) by covering the first aperture 38(such as the service technician covering first aperture 38 with histhumb) and reading gauge 66. This is the so-called "lock-up" test,wherein the technician expects to get a reading of about 4.25 ounces ofpressure as opposed to the 4.0 ounces expected in step (d) when thefirst flow rate is being simulated.

To digress briefly and referring to FIG. 5, the first position (i.e.open position) is shown wherein gas freely flows from first end 30 tofirst aperture 38 via slot 53. In this first position, the first flowrate is being simulated, wherein first aperture 38 is the smallestorifice within conduit 12 controlling gas flow from first end 30 toaperture 38. By casual inspection it will be noted that first aperture38 is of relatively smaller diameter than slot 53, so that firstaperture 38 controls the rate of gas flow in the first position. Asmentioned above, the diameter of first aperture 38, which is about 113mils, causes a first flow rate of about 50 cubic feet per hour. Thisfirst flow rate corresponds with a typical residential gas consumptionrate and is suitable for checking pressure delivered by regulator 74.Thus it will be seen that the diameter of first aperture 38 ispreselected to simulate the flow of natural gas through house lines 8when gas-burning appliances within residence 80 are consuming gas attypical levels.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second position i.e. closed position) of device10 is depicted. In this second position all gas must flow throughaligned apertures 52 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 4. Thediameter of each second aperture 52 is identical and relatively smallerthan the diameter of first aperture 38; thus second apertures 52 controlthe rate of gas flow in the second position. The diameter of secondapertures 52 causes a second flow rate of about 0.75 cubic feet perhour. This second flow rate corresponds with a typical residential gasconsumption rate when the pilot light of one appliance only is lit. Thusit will be seen that the diameter of second apertures 52 is preselectedto simulate the flow of natural gas through house line 78 when one gasburning appliance has its pilot light lit.

Returning to the procedure at step (f), the technician restores theconfiguration of FIG. 1 with the exception of leaving out theflow-preventing seals and the changed condition of the shut-off valvewhich is now in the open position. At step (g), there should be nomovement of the meter testhand, since at this stage all appliances areshut off-there fore movement of the test-hand would indicate a leakwithin the house line 78 or connections between the house line 78 andthe appliances. Thus, no meter test-hand deflection at step (g) is aconfirmatory indication of a substantially leak-free house line.

Step (h) is analogous to steps (a) and (b). The act of placing valvebody 50 in the second position in step (i) saves going into theresidence 80 to turn on a pilot light of one appliance. The step ofturning on a pilot light with the house line 78 connected to meter 76was the prior technique for creating the second flow condition.

In step (j) a slight movement of the meter test hand is expected inorder to determine that meter 76 is operating with sufficientsensitivity. That is to say, a slight deflection of meter 76 indicatesthat the meter is detecting a slight flow of gas in the second flow rate(i.e. the simulation of one pilot light lit in residence 80).

Step (k) is performed exactly as step (f). In the old method, anadditional trip was required into the house, this time to shut off thepilot light previously lit in step (i) of the old method. Thus, steps(i) and (j) of the new method eliminate two time consuming, burdensometrips into the residence 80 in accordance with the present invention.

Step (l) involves waiting an appropriate amount of time to determinethat there are no significant gas leaks within the house line 78. As anexample, regulations might require that the house line lose no more thantwo cubic feet of natural gas per hour in which case a two-foottest-hand would be watched for twenty minutes. At the end of that timeif the test-hand had been deflected one third or more of its totalrange, then an unsatisfactory leak rate would be indicated. Continuingwith the regulatory example having a two-cubic-feet-per-hour standard,if the meter had a one-foot test-hand the waiting period in step (1)would be ten minutes. If the meter had a half-foot test-hand, thewaiting period would be five minutes. In each case a testhand deflectionof one third or more indicates violation of the two-feet-per-hourstandard.

At step (m), and assuming that positive results have been attained onall previous steps, the pilot lights on all the appliances are lit sothat the consumer may begin normal usage thereof.

With reference to device 110, partially illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, itwill be noted that the exact procedure as above described will also beperformed. While the steps will be identical, the difference will be inthe second flow rate condition. At FIG. 6, showing the second positionof valve body 150, it will be seen that no gas may flow out firstaperture 38 in the closed position, therefore, the second flow ratecondition will be simulated by the delivery of about 0.75 cubic feet ofnatural gas per hour to the atmosphere via second aperture 152 (see FIG.7). Thus, devices 10 and 110 have identical second flow ratesimulations, but device 10 vents gas via first aperture 38 while device110 vents gas through aperture 152. The purpose of placing aperture 152on the exterior of nipple 124 is to avoid possible problems that mightarise with second aperture 52 in device 10. In particular, what isavoided is the accumulation of graphite, grit, dirt and the like ataperture 52. It will readily be understood that such a collection ofdebris is much less likely with second aperture 152 given itspositioning on the exterior of nipple 124.

It will also be noted that in the first flow condition, device 110 willvent gas from both first aperture 38 and second aperture 152, resultingin a minutely greater first flow condition for device 110 than that ofdevice 10. However, given the large difference in diameters for firstaperture 38 and second aperture 152, there will be virtually nopractical difference between the respective first flow conditions ofdevices 10 and 110.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of testing the reliability of a gas meterpresenting an input end, an output end, and a gas flow detectingmechanism between said ends, said method consisting essentially of thesteps of:providing a conduit having a gas inlet end and a gas outlet endwith a selectively actuatable valve interposed in the conduit betweensaid ends, said inlet and of said conduit being adapted for coupling tosaid meter output end for flow of gas from said output end into andthrough said valve and conduit, said conduit presenting a gas flow paththerethrough wherein all gas from said meter output end passes throughsaid valve means during all phases of the meter testing method; operablycoupling said gas inlet end of said conduit with said meter output endfor flow of gas into and through the gas flow path presented by saidconduit; manipulating said valve means to a first flow conditiontherethrough for establishing the flow of gas out of said valve meansand conduit at a first level simulative of a first gas flow conditionthrough said meter, with all gas from said meter output end passingthrough said valve means; thereafter changing the level of gas flow outof said conduit of manipulating said valve means to a second flowcondition for establishing the flow of gas out of said valve means andconduit at a second level simulative of a second gas flow conditionthrough said meter, with all gas from said meter output end passingthrough said valve means; and inspecting said gas meter flow detectingmechanism to confirm that said mechanism is responsive to said gas flowlevel change.
 2. A method for turning on a gas supply associated with asystem having a gas service line, a shut-off valve, a regulator, a meterhaving a test hand, and a house line with gas-burning appliances coupledthereto, the method comprising:(a) disconnecting the meter from thehouseline and removing any flow-preventing seals from the meter; (b)providing a device including a conduit having one end, adapted forinsertion into the meter to provide fluid communication therewith, andan other end operatively coupled with an apertured first simulationmeans for restricting fluid flow out of the device and therebysimulating a first flow condition, the device further including gaugemeans operatively coupled with the conduit for measuring pressureassociated with the rate of fluid flow and an apertured secondsimulation means operatively coupled with the conduit, the secondsimulation means including an apertured valve body having first andsecond positions, the first position permitting the first simulationmeans to effectively control the rate of flow while the second positionrestricts the flow to a relatively smaller second flow condition; (c)inserting the device into the meter; (d) turning on the shut-off valveto allow gas to flow through the meter and device; (e) checking theamount of pressure created by the regulator, by reading the gauge whenthe valve body is in the first position; (f) rechecking the regulator bycovering the first simulation means aperture and reading the gauge; (g)removing the device from the meter and reconnecting the meter to thehouse line; checking the house line by reading the (h) checking thehouse line by reading the meter test-hand; (i) disconnecting the meterfrom the houseline and inserting the device into the meter; (j) placingthe valve body in the second position; (k) reading the test-hand of themeter; (l) removing the device from the meter and reconnecting the meterto the house line; (m) reading the test-hand twenty minutes later; and(n) lighting the appliances.